Samos is just off the Turkish coast and has long been a regular destination for migrants trying to reach European soil. More than 50,000 migrants have arrived in Greece by boat so far this year, making it the second most used European migrant route - behind only Italy.

Greece's coastguard has recovered the bodies of eight migrants - six minors and two women - off the island of Samos in the Aegean Sea, authorities said on Monday. Greek police found a further 36 people alive in the northern part of Samos,